A complex urban project is reshaping the face of Lyon. The French city has brought together architects from around the world to build an area of over 150 acres situated at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers. Shops, meeting places and residential buildings bring life to the area called Confluences.
The district does not lack “cultural sites” and the Musée des Confluences deserves a special mention. This stunning building, designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au, is an articulated volume that consists of several complexly linked architectural units. All the weight rests on a giant reinforced concrete plinth.
On this solid support structure, the two parts that form the architecture are connected: the transparent Crystal in iron and glass and solid Cloud with a metallic coating. Sculptural and irregular, the Museum turns heads and focuses the attention.
Of great interest is the innovative museum concept of this fledgling institution that is based on the exhibition of thousands of artefacts and objects originating from different ages and geographical regions, as in the private Cabinets of Curiosities, or Wunderkammer.
The exhibits are organized in three main areas (earth science, social science, science of life) in order to spread awareness at all levels, drawing the attention of an audience as vast and varied as possible including scholars and the simply curious.
WHERE: 10 rue Boileau, 69006 Lyon, France